Eight Reasons to Seek a Veterinarian Prior to Behavior Training

A golden retriever exhibits obsessive compulsive habits, teeth chattering and out of character caution around slopes and gaps in footing. A cocker spaniel has itchy skin, ear infections and exhibits fear around strangers and dogs. A dog yelps when touched caused by developing hot spots and reacts loudly to people or dogs approaching. Dogs can have a multitude of behavioral issues, but should behavior training begin immediately or is it symptomatic of other medical issues and illness? A trip to the veterinarian is in order for all three cases. A sudden onset behavioral issue could mean a hypothyroid condition is emerging, or indigestion has arisen, or even a chiropractic adjustment is needed. Once a clear bill of health is determined, then the behavior issues can begin.

When should a dog be taken to a veterinarian when behavioral issues arise, such as dog dog aggressions, reactivity to humans, even shy/fearful behavior? Along with distinct behavioral changes, there are several symptoms to watch for meaning immediate veterinary care should be sought.

Eight reasons for a thorough veterinarian check before behavioral training

Biting at feet or other body parts

Self-mutilation is a sign of outer or inner discomfort and can mean illness has already manifested itself or is something to watch for in the future. If biting of feet is coupled with sound sensitivities, it could mean a chiropractic veterinarian is needed for a neck, shoulder or spinal adjustment. Often this simple procedure changes behavior almost immediately. Self-mutilation can also be a sign of separation anxiety, inner or outer pain or itchiness and medication may be needed to help while behavioral training begins. It is important to know why the dog is biting at feet or other body parts before beginning a behavior program.

Sudden onset of irritability

A sudden change in behavior such as human aggression or dog aggression can be a sign of many things to include a thyroid condition. If that is suspected, then a five panel thyroid test should be given. It is suggested that Hemopet be included as Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM has the best database available for determining if a dog has a thyroid condition or not. A dog may have all the symptoms or none and in some breeds hypothyroidism can cause seizures, such as in Belgian Tervuren and Rottweiler.

Aggression in puppies

When seeing aggression in puppies, my senses always turn to impending illness or genetic temperament. Neurological disorders, eye problems, and other symptoms can cause a puppy to act differently. Genetic temperament can have a combination of genetic illnesses and cause a puppy to appear over-the-top in nature, when in fact future health problems may very well be the reason for the aggressive behavior in the puppy early on. Often it is a wait and see situation and behavior training should be of prime importance along with regular veterinarian examination and testing. In this case the recommendation is complete blood work done once or twice a year, to include thyroid testing, a chemical blood workup (CBC) and a serum chemistry. This will help analyze inner organs and also if the dog's diet is appropriate. Aggression in puppies usually means something more in the form of genetic or ensuing illness.

Dry skin, itchiness and hot spots

A dog can be miserable with dry skin, itchiness and hot spots to the point of not being able to focus on any training. Training at this stage can cause irritability and worsen the behavior rather than help it. It is advised to get the skin concerns under veterinarian care so the dog can focus on behavior changes through training. A veterinarian may prescribe medication to include Prednisone and various antibiotics, as well as a change in diet or topical treatments.

Difficulty rising or moving, falling or tripping

Dogs do not like to show signs of weakness and if another dog jumps on them and causes pain, it is likely to lead to an aggressive encounter. The dog will want to prevent the pain and keep other dogs away. Difficulty in rising could mean the onset of arthritis or osteochondroitus discans, which can occur in puppies before five months of age. Difficulty moving, falling or tripping is something a dog will try to ignore and become distressed as a result. Irritability will cause a change in behavior due to the pain the dog is experiencing. In these cases, there probably will not be a full behavioral recovery, but management and prevention of pain is key to behavior changes and the ability to learn and retain.

Difficulty urinating or defecating, frequent or infrequent

Several diseases could be the result of difficulty in urinating or defecating, such as diabetes, Cushings disease or kidney disease. It is critical to get a proper diagnosis so treatment can begin prior to behavior training. This type of problem could also result in behavioral conditions of separation anxiety, enhanced chewing in adult dogs, and reactivity to other dogs, people and sounds.

Lethargy and loss of appetite

If a dog is lethargic or not eating properly, they cannot learn. The problem needs to be solved from the inside out to begin to address behavior issues. Lethargy and loss of appetite can be the result of a host of diseases. In fact lethargy and loss of appetite are the most common signs of illness in dogs. It could indicate injury or even bloat.

Suddenly an Irish Setter shows signs of lethargy, and wobbles a bit and refuses to eat. Minutes later there are signs of definite discomfort, pain and he is rushed to the veterinarian who diagnoses bloat. An operation is performed and the Irish Setter lives to be sixteen years old. Bloat if not caught in time can be fatal. It is vitally important to know what to look for and not assume a dog needs behavior adjustments prior to considering the onslaught of illness.

Other causes of lethargy and loss of appetite can be obstruction, infection, viruses, pancreatic illness, gum disease or tooth problems, kidney or liver problems, chronic pain, dehydration, and more. Eliminating all of these is the precursor to starting to work on anxiety and emotional distress, which in extreme cases can also be a reason for a dog to become lethargic or not eat.

Vomiting or change in bowel movements

This could mean dietary distress such as indigestion to the presence of parasites or the ingestion of poison. These symptoms should be taken seriously and the dog should have a clean bill of health before any behavior change program is attempted. Often behavioral issues are the result of illness and making sure a dog is ready for the rigors of behavior change processes is the key to results-oriented change. A veterinarian can determine whether vomiting or diarrhea is cause for concern.

Health issues can be present even if the dog comes away from the veterinarian with a clean bill of health. Illness can take months, even years to surface and often is genetically inherited. A dog neurologically challenged may have seizures later in life, or a dog with sound sensitivities could need a chiropractic adjustment, still a pre-veterinarian check can at least okay next steps such as behavioral training for dog or human aggression. Medication can help a dog focus while learning and can be cut back as the dog changes over time. Knowing when bad behavior could be due to ensuing illness means the difference between change and leveling out.